Mining operators around the world are facing renewed pressure on their pipeline infrastructure. Rising metal prices for copper, silver, and gold are driving increased production, particularly across the Southwest United States in Arizona and New Mexico. As output increases, pipelines responsible for moving slurry, concentrate, and process water are being pushed harder and longer than ever before. These systems must withstand continuous abrasion, erosion, and corrosion while remaining compliant with increasingly strict regulatory requirements.
United Pipeline Systems works globally with mining companies to safeguard these critical assets and extend their service life. Through advanced thermoplastic internal pipeline lining systems, United helps operators reduce maintenance costs, minimize downtime, and preserve pipeline integrity under some of the most demanding operating conditions in the industry. With decades of proven performance across mining applications, United delivers solutions designed for long-term reliability rather than short-term repairs.
The Challenge of Slurry Transport in Mining Operations
Many mining pipelines are designed to transport slurry, a mixture of crushed rock and water or process fluids that allows material to move efficiently over long distances. While effective, slurry transport creates extreme internal wear conditions. Abrasive solids constantly contact the pipe wall, accelerating erosion, while corrosive fluids further degrade unprotected steel. These combined forces are especially challenging in systems such as:
- Concentrate lines
- Tailings systems
- Acid lines
- PLS pipelines
- Recycled water services
Without proper internal protection, pipelines can experience rapid wall loss, leaks, and unplanned shutdowns. For mining operators managing large-scale or remote assets, these failures carry significant operational and financial consequences, including production delays, safety risks, and regulatory exposure.
How Tite Liner® Protects Mining Pipelines from the Inside
United Pipeline Systems’ Tite Liner® solution is engineered specifically to address the internal threats common in mining service. The thermoplastic liner forms a durable internal barrier that protects steel pipelines from corrosion, abrasion, and erosion while allowing slurry and fluids to flow smoothly through the system.
By reducing internal roughness and isolating the steel pipe from abrasive and corrosive media, Tite Liner helps maintain consistent hydraulic performance and significantly extends pipeline lifespan. The system integrates with existing infrastructure, allowing operators to rehabilitate pipelines instead of replacing them. This approach delivers measurable operational benefits, including:
- Reduced downtime
- Lower lifecycle costs
- Sustained operational efficiency
The long-term performance of Tite Liner is well documented across global mining operations. In Western Australia, United installed Tite Liner in two 26-inch pipelines spanning a combined 270 kilometers for a magnetite iron ore operation transporting abrasive concentrate and recycled water. Despite extreme heat, remote logistics, and challenging weather, the lined pipelines were delivered on schedule and built to withstand continuous slurry service.
Reducing Turbulence with the Posi-Seal® Connection
Connection points are often the most vulnerable areas in lined pipeline systems. Poorly designed transitions can create turbulence that accelerates liner wear and concentrates erosion at flanges and joints.
United Pipeline’s Posi-Seal® connection is designed to minimize these risks. By creating a smooth, reliable interface between lined pipe sections, Posi-Seal reduces turbulent flow and protects the liner at critical junctions. This design improvement plays a meaningful role in extending service life and maintaining system integrity under continuous slurry conditions.
The value of this approach is evident in underground and space-constrained mining applications. In a Montana underground mine, United supplied its PreFit™ solution, with pipe lined offsite and delivered ready for installation in a tunnel environment. The system incorporated Posi-Seal connections and allowed the mine to control installation timing using its own crews, while building on more than 80,000 feet of Tite Liner already in service at the site.
Global Capacity Backed by Experienced Crews
United Pipeline Systems supports mining projects worldwide through strategically located facilities and assets in Durango, Chile, and Edmonton. This global footprint allows United to mobilize efficiently and support both large-scale and specialized mining projects across regions.
Equally important is the experience of United’s crews. Many team members have spent more than a decade with the company, mastering a highly specialized trade. United crews have worked on six continents and are accustomed to operating in remote, high-risk, and logistically complex environments. Every mining project presents unique challenges, and United’s teams customize each solution to site-specific conditions rather than relying on standardized approaches.
A Trusted Partner for Mining Pipeline Integrity
As mining activity accelerates and production demands increase, pipeline reliability becomes critical to maintaining safe, efficient operations. United Pipeline Systems delivers proven internal lining solutions that:
- Protect infrastructure investments
- Extend pipeline service life
- Support regulatory compliance across a wide range of mining applications
With decades of experience, advanced connection technology, and skilled crews operating worldwide, United continues to help mining companies move abrasive materials reliably through pipelines built for long-term performance. To discuss how United Pipeline Systems can support your mining operation, contact our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What mining applications are suitable for Tite Liner?
Tite Liner is commonly used for tailings, concentrate pipelines, acid lines, PLS systems, and water lines where internal corrosion and abrasion are major concerns.
How does Tite Liner extend pipeline life?
The thermoplastic liner protects the steel pipe from erosion and corrosion, reducing wall loss and minimizing maintenance while maintaining smooth internal flow.
Why is the Posi-Seal connection important in slurry pipelines?
Posi-Seal reduces turbulence at connection points, which helps prevent localized wear and improves the overall longevity of the lined pipeline system.
Can Tite Liner be installed in remote or underground locations?
Yes. United offers both field-installed liners and PreFit solutions that are fabricated offsite and delivered ready for installation, including underground and space-constrained environments.
Does United Pipeline Systems work internationally on mining projects?
Yes. United has completed mining projects on six continents and supports global operations through facilities in North America and South America.